ILA Leader McNamara Inducted Into Maritime Hall of Fame

Key Details James W. McNamara, Chief of Staff and spokesman for the International Longshoremen's Association, was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame this week. The ceremony took place at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York, with ILA International President Harold J. Daggett presiding over the event. Why It Matters McNamara's 44-year tenure with the ILA spans a transformative period for the union. He joined during the containerization era and helped modernize the ILA into the strong, unified organization it is today. His advocacy for longshore workers and leadership have been instrumental in shaping port operations and labor relations in the NY-NJ region. Contributions & Recognition Beyond his union work, McNamara raised over $10 million for the ILA Children's Fund, demonstrating commitment beyond the workplace. He was honored alongside Robert P. Burke (Ridgebury Tankers CEO), Capt. John W. Murray (Canaveral Port Authority), and Ted Tregurtha (Moran Towing president), all recognized for championing progress in maritime operations. The Maritime Association of the Port of New York/New Jersey praised these leaders for elevating community standards across the industry.